Often affectionately referred to as the “Godfather of British Latin music” Robin Jones was truly one of the great performers on the international Latin scene, a multi-instrumentalist drummer/percussionist who went on to teach some of the leading lights in British percussion such as Mark “Snowboy” Cotgrove and Will Fry. His recordings and earlier tracks generated renewed interest in the London Jazz-Dance Scene in the late 70’s, some of his recordings achieving iconic status on cooler floors across the capital and beyond. His legacy as a pioneer of British Latin music continues to burn brightly, garnering continued admiration from younger generations.
Denga, his first recording from 1971 is a scintillating fusion of Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazillian rhythms laden with heavy Fender Rhodes sounds and three Afro-Latin Percussionists. This rare album has been reissued by London Jazz DJ Paul Murphy’s Jazz Room Records imprint, an essential purchase for lovers of Latin and dancefloor-ready Jazz.
Featuring Robin’s personal favourites including “Goodbye Batucada” which rightfully lays claim to be the first Brazilian Jazz Samba tune recorded in the UK—featuring a unique sounding pandeiro rhythm that Jones personally learned from Roy “Pando” Shelton, himself a student of Rico Pandeiro who popularised the eponymously named rhythm in Brazilian Jazz circles—and the percussive anthems “Denga” and “Africa Revisited”.
In a discussion with Paul Murphy about the first two Apollo Sound albums, he conceded that there wasn’t much information about them. “They were recorded in the early 70’s and didnt sell particularly well. I rediscovered them 10 years later, bought the remaining stock off Mr. Heinz Herschmann the label owner and then licensed the 2 albums from his son, Toby—the first being El Maja. Apollo Sound supplied recorded music for the BBC Test Card; the telly turned off in the afternoon and a test picture was put up so that Radio Rentals and the like could tune the TV for a good reception and picture.”
Appropriate vibrations for the tropical weather that we’re all experiencing at the moment.
Buy the LP HERE
Listen to the album HERE
